Introduction to geology

The sedimentary rock cover of the continents of the Earth’s crust is extensive (73% of the Earth’s current land surface[1]), but sedimentary rock is estimated to be only 8% of the volume of the crust.[2] Sedimentary rocks are only a thin veneer over a crust consisting mainly of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Sedimentary rocks are deposited in layers as strata, forming a structure called bedding. Sedimentary rocks are often deposited in large structures called sedimentary basins. Sedimentary rocks have also been found on Mars.

The study of sedimentary rocks and rock strata provides information about the subsurface that is useful for civil engineering, for example in the construction of roads, houses, tunnels, canals or other structures. Sedimentary rocks are also important sources of natural resources including coal, fossil fuels, drinking water and ores.

• The study of the sequence of sedimentary rock strata is the main source for an understanding of the Earth’s history, including palaeogeography, paleoclimatology and the history of life. The scientific discipline that studies the properties and origin of sedimentary rocks is called sedimentology. Sedimentology is part of both geology and physical geography and overlaps partly with other disciplines in the Earth sciences, such as pedology, geomorphology, geochemistry and structural geology.

SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

NEW WORDS

• English
• Breccia
• Caliche
• Chalk
• Chalk
• Coal
• Conglomerate
• Diatomite
• Limestone
• Sandstone
• Shale
• Dolomite
• Siltstone
• Rock salt
• Gypsum
• Ironstone

• Uzbek
• Breccia
• Kaliche
• Bo’r
• Bo’r
• Ko’mir
• konglomerat
• Diatomit
• Ohaktosh
• Qumtosh
• Slanets
• Dolomit
• Alevrittosh
• Tosh tuzi
• Gips
• Temir tosh